As the Champions League now reaches the knock-out stages, it looks set to be the most hotly contested of all time. Anticipation is rife as to who will reach the final in Moscow come May and who will lift the famous trophy at the final whistle, and everybody has their favourite.
It is realistically the only trophy which 5 time European champions Liverpool can win this season, and is the same trophy which Michael Essien has admitted Chelsea have their eye on winning. Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has also said that European success is what his team has as its priority, and with Arsenal crashing out of domestic cup competitions after humiliating defeats to two of their biggest rivals, I am sure they will be looking to go one further than what they did when they lost out to Barcelona in the final two years ago.
The competition this season is formidably strong with the so called ‘big 4’ English clubs pitting their wits against the cream of the crop from Spain, Italy and France. Pre-season hopes were high that an English club could become the first winners of the competition since Liverpool lifted the trophy in Istanbul 2005, but are those hopes soon to turn into reality?
I think Liverpool will struggle to hold Inter Milan even at Anfield. The Reds have faltered of late, and despite some pundits saying that they believe the players to be inspired from their defeat at the hands of Championship outfit, Barnsley, I believe this not to be the case. The fans will get behind the team as usual and be that 12th man, but I don’t think it will be enough. I get the sense of nothing but negativity in the red half of the city, and whilst I don’t think they will get well and truly beaten, I do think that Inter will just be too strong for Liverpool both home and away. The Italians are sitting comfortably at the top of their league and remain unbeaten and are strong favourites themselves to become champions. Liverpool will just be another hurdle which they will jump over with relative ease. Sorry Liverpool fans but this test has come too soon for Gerrard and co. and I can see them failing resulting in a trophy-less season.
Arsenal host current holders AC Milan at the Emirates on Wednesday evening, who despite their league form being not the best, they too will be formidable opponents. Arsene Wenger has admitted Arsenal will have to change from their usual attractive style of play which the world is accustomed to seeing, so that they can cope with the threat of Brazilian playmaker Kaka. Following a 4-0 hammering from Manchester United at the weekend and having to face even more world-class opposition, a draw with the Italians is probably the best they can hope for. I am surprised, even shocked, to hear Wenger’s comments regarding Kaka. This is so out of character and is almost a sign of weakness from the Gunners. Over the years Arsenal have been unconcerned about anybody else and have concentrated on playing how they want, regardless of who and where they play. I think they will have a better chance of getting something out of the tie at the San Siro given Milan’s home form this season, but Milan are European greats and nobody can write them off.
Chelsea will breeze through their two games against Olympiakos. Chelsea are always a force to be reckoned with whoever they play against, and the Greek team will not be able to contain the likes of Drogba, Anelka, Ballack, Joe Cole and dare I say it; Frank Lampard. They will have an eye on the weekend with the Carling Cup final and may rest a few stars but they could also welcome back previous absentees. But let’s not underestimate the Greek’s, as they came second in their group above talented sides in German’s Werder Bremen and another Italian team, Lazio. Chelsea have squad depth and will come through this stage of the tournament, but I think if they draw a big team in the next round (i.e Inter Milan, Man Utd, Barcelona, Real Madrid), they will have to be on top form. How far Chelsea go in this competition depends on who they get in the next round, but if I were them I would focus on beating Tottenham at the weekend.
Manchester United are my favourites to be crowned Champions for the first time since they achieved the incredible treble in 1999. This season they have proved to have unbelievable squad depth and quality. Whilst some people would say they need Cristiano Ronaldo to play well to win a game, those critics were proved wrong when they brushed aside Arsenal in the FA Cup. Considering United’s poor away record in the knockout stages, the trip to France will not a walk in the park. However, I honestly cannot believe people who have been saying Lyon have a chance of winning the competition. They have a few good players but as a team they are far inferior to Manchester United and the rest of Europe. They have a reputation of being a feeder team to the rest of the world because of their record of selling their best players, and I think their young kids could be taught lessons over the two legs against the Red Devils. United need to be disciplined in France and come away with a victory, but whatever happens they will win at Old Trafford and progress to the next stage. They have world-class quality all the way through the team and will be there in Moscow at the end of the season. Or at least they should be.
Chelsea and Manchester United fans should be getting ready for another trip around Europe after this stage, as I believe they are through to the next round no problems. On the other hand, Gunners and Reds fans can’t bet on it. They have the toughest draws and I just can’t see them progressing any further. It is shame as if all 4 teams were on top form it could all be different. In previous years would you ever write Liverpool off on a European night regardless of the opposition? No, but form is against them.
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